Fitch soccer players prepare young players

June 27, 2013

The Fitch boys and girls soccer teams held their annual camp this month at the Austintown Soccer Club on Ohltown Road. The weeklong event was geared towards teaching younger girls how to play the game while having a little fun.

According to Fitch girls soccer coach Tex Martin, "The camp is held to get young girls and boys interested and involved in the game."

He said some may already play on a club team and are looking to pick up new, useful techniques. Others may be experiencing the game for the first time and are looking to learn. For the coaches, they are hoping to generate interest in the sport and help the younger players that will someday feed the high school team.

Article Photos

Photos special to the Town CrierAn important part of playing soccer is to warm up as Fitch girls soccer players Kim Nu, Sam Sheely and Megan McNally demonstrate to a group of 5- to 7-year-old girls during the recent soccer camp.

Fitch girls soccer coach Tex Martin works with younger girls during the annual soccer camp this month that help teach the basics.

Fitch High School girls soccer team members Kim Nu and Sam Sheely (center) pose with one of several groups of young girls who came out for soccer camp.

The program also helps out the varsity teams and the Soccer Boosters Club. Martin said the camp is run by the soccer coaches and a fee is charged for the soccer camp.

"The coaches charge for the camp, then give the money to the boosters," he said.

Funds raised help in the cost of the program and helps provide for needs at the high school. It provides for equipment, uniforms, and the cost of competing in tournaments.

"Just to enter the Kent Tournament is $2,000," Martin said.

In the end, it is a big win for all concerned. Martin said the girls gain skills they can use, the boosters gain funds to help the high school teams, and all the kids and coaches make new friends.

Helping the coaches out are members of the Fitch soccer teams, who volunteer their time. This year, the team even had former Fitch player Kelsey Martin, who is in her second year on the Hiram College girls soccer team.